In the News Archives - Page 36 of 47 - Decriminalize Sex Work

Why Sex Work Should Be Decriminalized | Human Rights Watch

Tiffany Cabán Concedes Queens DA Race

Tiffany Cabán came within 60 votes of winning the Queens DA race, running on a platform of decriminalizing and decarcerating nonviolent offenders such as sex workers. She specifically pledged her support to the sex work community. After a lengthy recount process, she conceded on August 6.

Despite her loss, Cabán was able to push sex workers’ message of destigmatizing, decriminalizing and decarcerating. She pushed her opponent Melinda Katz and all Queens residents to rethink how we police our communities.

DSW General Counsel Melissa Broudo and one of our legal consultants, Marguerite Schauer, volunteered their time to oversee the extensive recount process of this extremely close and important election.

DSW Newsletter Archive

Trump administration cuts legal funding for victims of human trafficking | The Washington Post

Kaytlin Bailey’s suggestions for Sen. Kamala Harris on sex work | Washington Examiner

Biden says Democratic millenials are not ‘a generation of socialists,‘ draws distinction with Sanders on health care | The Nevada Independent

Want to Reduce Sex Trafficking? Decriminalize Sex Work. | Rewire News Group

Congress’ Awful Anti-Sex-Trafficking Law Has Only Put Sex Workers in Danger and Wasted Taxpayer Money | Business Insider

2020 Candidates Consider Decriminalizing Sex Work | CBS News

Bernie Sanders didn’t give a definitive answer on sex work vs. sex trafficking | CNN.com

Hawaii Passes Historic Change to Prostitution Law

On July 2, 2019, with the passage of SB1039, Hawaii became the first state in the U.S. to allow a person to have a prostitution conviction erased without being a victim of trafficking. The previous law only expunged sex-work convictions after 6 years if there was conclusive proof of coercion or victimization. Sen. Laura Theilan (D) said that "The days of the scarlet letter are over. People who have been in prostitution should not have an onerous burden on them once they leave that job."

DSW supports the law but cautions its encouragement of conflating sex work with victimization. The best way to combat trafficking and promote safety remains full legalization so that sex workers who wish to find new employment can do so without shame or stigma, regardless of their reasons for entering the trade.

“Gay Panic” Defense Can No Longer Be Used to Excuse Murder, a Win for Trans Sex Workers

Just before the June 30, 2019, kickoff of the World Pride March in New York City, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed A2707, a new law that bans the "gay and...

Queer Liberation March: Pride Without Barriers in NYC

June 30, 2019 DSW attended the Queer Liberation March and political rally that followed on June 30, organized by the Reclaim Pride Coalition to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the...

Tiffany Cabán: Champion of Sex Workers’ Rights

Campaigning for district attorney of NYC, Tiffany Cabán initially declared victory on election night, June 25, 2019, but a full recount is currently ongoing due to how close the original...

California To Pass Bill for the Health and Safety of Sex Workers

On July 1, 2019, the California Assembly passed SB 233 54-13. SB 233 is an act to amend section 1162 of the penal code by prohibiting the arrest of a...

Hawaii Passes Historic Change to Prostitution Law

On July 2, 2019, with the passage of SB1039, Hawaii became the first state in the U.S. to allow a person to have a prostitution conviction erased without being a...

Mexico City’s Decriminalization Law Not Yet Implemented

Mexico City lawmakers voted 38-0 on May 31, 2019, to decriminalize prostitution in the nation's capital city. Rep. Temistocles Villanueva from the ruling center-left Morena Party says that the law...

Category: In the News

Why Sex Work Should Be Decriminalized | Human Rights Watch

August 6, 2019

NY elections committee reviews all ballots cast in the DA’s race (July 25).

DSW Newsletter Archive

Trump administration cuts legal funding for victims of human trafficking | The Washington Post

Kaytlin Bailey’s suggestions for Sen. Kamala Harris on sex work | Washington Examiner

DSW’s Kaytlin Bailey is quoted:

“Candidates like Harris should stand with the cops who are tired of arresting people for just getting one another off.”

Biden says Democratic millenials are not ‘a generation of socialists,‘ draws distinction with Sanders on health care | The Nevada Independent

Want to Reduce Sex Trafficking? Decriminalize Sex Work. | Rewire News Group

Congress’ Awful Anti-Sex-Trafficking Law Has Only Put Sex Workers in Danger and Wasted Taxpayer Money | Business Insider

2020 Candidates Consider Decriminalizing Sex Work | CBS News

DSW’s Kaytlin Bailey is quoted:

"You have violence, you have exploitation, and you have blackmail. You have people operating outside the law, because legal protections are not extended to the entire industry."

Bernie Sanders didn’t give a definitive answer on sex work vs. sex trafficking | CNN.com

Hawaii Governor David Ige signs SB1039 into law on Tuesday, July 2. (image: CNN.com)

DSW Newsletter Archive

August 6, 2019

NY elections committee reviews all ballots cast in the DA’s race (July 25).

DSW Newsletter #5 (August 2019)

DSW’s Kaytlin Bailey is quoted:

“Candidates like Harris should stand with the cops who are tired of arresting people for just getting one another off.”

DSW’s Kaytlin Bailey is quoted:

"You have violence, you have exploitation, and you have blackmail. You have people operating outside the law, because legal protections are not extended to the entire industry."

Hawaii Governor David Ige signs SB1039 into law on Tuesday, July 2. (image: CNN.com)

DSW Newsletter #4 (July 2019)